Edward Johnson Jr. died after his car crashed; a suspect was arrested the next day.
FERGUSON, Mo. — A driver was shot and later died after honking his horn at people blocking the roadway late Friday morning, investigators said. The vehicle rolled forward and crashed along Canfield Drive as the victim’s child remained inside but was not hurt.
The victim was identified as Edward Johnson Jr., a father from the Castle Point area in North St. Louis County. Ferguson police said detectives recovered video and interviewed witnesses within hours, leading them to an apartment complex near the scene. On Saturday, officers arrested Deandre U. Spruill Jr., and prosecutors filed charges in connection with the shooting. The killing, which unfolded steps from homes and bus stops, rattled neighbors and drew a swift response from city and county investigators.
Calls to 911 began around 10:15 a.m. Friday near West Florissant Avenue and Canfield Drive. Responding officers found Johnson wounded and his car damaged at Ellison Drive and Canfield Drive. Paramedics took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Detectives said early evidence shows Johnson honked at pedestrians standing in traffic moments before shots were fired. Police Chief Troy Doyle called the case “a senseless act of violence” and said officers were able to detain several people of interest and secure the area for evidence collection before making an arrest.
Investigators said surveillance footage from nearby businesses and residences was key to identifying those involved. Police did not immediately say how many shots were fired or describe the firearm used. The child, whose age was not released, was evaluated and placed with relatives. Detectives continued interviews through the weekend and asked area residents to preserve any doorbell or security-camera video that captured the confrontation or the moments leading up to it. No additional injuries were reported at the scene, and police said there was no ongoing threat to the neighborhood once suspects were in custody.
Canfield Drive and West Florissant form a well-traveled stretch of North County that has seen traffic jams and on-street gatherings during busy hours. Residents said they often see cars slowing to navigate crowds or parked vehicles near storefronts. City officials have occasionally stepped up patrols along the corridor. While investigators cautioned that the circumstances of this case were specific to the people involved, they said the episode shows how quickly a brief street interaction can escalate into violence, particularly when drivers and pedestrians share tight space along commercial blocks.
With Spruill under arrest, the case moved to prosecutors for formal charging and an initial court appearance. A judge will set bond and future dates once the case is docketed. Detectives planned additional canvassing for video and ballistic evidence early next week and will complete reports for potential presentation to a grand jury if required by procedure. Police said victim services teams were coordinating with Johnson’s family and child advocates as the investigation continues.
By Friday evening, police tape still fluttered across portions of Canfield Drive as officers guided traffic around evidence markers and a damaged vehicle. Neighbors stepped out to speak quietly on their porches while family members embraced near the crash site. “This was a father traveling with his child who had to witness a traumatic event,” Chief Doyle said, commending his officers’ rapid work at a chaotic scene.
As of Saturday night, the child was safe with relatives, charges had been announced, and detectives were preparing for additional interviews and evidence reviews slated for early next week.
Author note: Last updated February 1, 2026.